UCLA Basketball: 10 Things You Need to Know About Ben Howland's Bruins in 2012

The college basketball season is now underway, as the UCLA Bruins and head coach Ben Howland will look to be not only a winning program, but a national force.

After a 23-10 season last year, the Bruins have proved themselves as a winning program and hope to show signs of further improvement in the 2011-2012 season.

With leagues like the Big East, ACC and Big Ten taking over most headlines, it's more than likely a quality team like the UCLA Bruins go under the radar. Yet this a squad that has earned itself much credit and recognition about the college basketball world.

These are 10 things college basketball fans should know about the new-look, top-notch talented UCLA Bruins men's basketball team.

10. Howland's Bruins Dominant to Open the Season

When it comes to opening up the season on strong note, these certainly Bruins know a thing or two.

In eight seasons under head coach Ben Howland, the team is a whopping 7-1 in home openers. The one loss came to Cal State Fullerton two seasons ago, losing the game 65-68 in what was a double-overtime thriller.

Loyola Marymount got the win over the Bruins Friday however, as the team looks to be hurt by injury. Ultimately, Howland will have his team turning it around and winning basketball games soon enough.

9. Reeves Nelson and Anthony Stover Injured

Both senior Reeves Nelson and sophomore Anthony Stover are listed as currently injured on the UCLA basketball team's website.

Nelson is currently suffering from a left ankle injury that has had him sitting out of practice the last week or so. Sophomore center Stover has a subluxed left shoulder and will not play in the home opener as he has been unable to practice since the injury. Nelson is probable for the contest Friday.

8. 2010-2011 Tournament Appearance

Last season, many forget the UCLA Bruins made the 2011 NCAA Tournament and made it to the third round as well.

A 22-10 season had the Bruins looking at a seventh seed in the Southeast Region of the bracket. After knocking out Michigan State with a two-point win, the Bruins would fall to the Florida Gators 65-73 in the team's next game.

7. Ben Howland Is a Winner

When it comes to the greatest, most elite coaches in today's game, people talk about Mike Krzyzewski, Rick Pitino, Jay Wright or Bill Self. The list goes on. Yet it fails to include one of the more efficient coaches in today's game.

Going into his ninth season with the team, UCLA Bruins head coach Ben Howland has proven that he is straight up winner. No if, and or buts about it.

In eight seasons with the team Howland has gone 189-83, including a run of three-consecutive Pac-12 titles from 2006 to 2008.

With 357 wins, Howland is the 33rd winningest coach of any active coach in NCAA Division I college basketball. He is whopping 19-9 in the NCAA tournament, making for a winning percentage of just under 68 percent.

Talk about some numbers from a guy not necessarily always given the proper recognition.

6. Ranked High Going into the Season

Despite not being the most known team in college basketball, the UCLA Bruins are certainly nationally recognized when it comes to the rankings.

In the AP Top 25, UCLA comes in at No. 17 on the charts. In the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, the team comes in at No. 20.

This is the first time the team has been nationally ranked since the 2008-2009 season.

5. Howland There to Stay in UCLA

If one thing is for certain, what many don't know about this UCLA team is just how effective Howland has been as a head coach with the team.

There is no question Howland is a guy that will stay around for a while. He is in his ninth season to with the team and has proven he can get it done time and time again.

This instills, more times than not, a confidence in a team that is unmatched by the average program. Fully expect players to feed off Howland's confidence this season.

4. An Injury-Ridden Squad

Reeves Nelson had a solid performance in the season opener despite his left ankle injury, yet just 13 points is not going to cut it if the team expects to win games.

Nelson was 6-of-12 for 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the process.

Without sophomore center Anthony Stover in the rotation, the team seemed to be playing sluggish on the inside.

3. Guard Play Must Improve

The two starting guards for this UCLA Bruins team, Lazeric Jones and Tyler Lamb both had awful performances to say the least in the season opener.

Jones and Lamb would combine for 5-of-20 shooting from the field, 1-of-8 from three-point range, six turnovers and just seven assists.

These are numbers that just won't cut it for the Bruins this season. If there's one thing that's not questionable however, it's the play inside from the forwards...

2. UCLA Must Ride the Play of the Wear Brothers

The UCLA Bruins boast two solid transfers in David and Travis Wear, who transferred to UCLA from the University of North Carolina.

The two had to sit out last season as a result, yet are proving their worth from the get go.

In 37 minutes, David Wear put in 13 points, grabbed five rebounds and recorded three steals while shooting 5-of-11 for the contest. Brother, Travis Wear, played an exceptionally effective 22 minutes. Travis would score 11 points, grab eight rebounds and shot 5-of-9 from the field.

If there's one thing that's not in question, it's the Bruins play inside, as the Wear brothers will be a tremendous advantage for the team this season.

1. Losing Players Last Year Will Take a Toll

Despite the national rank to start the season, as well as the new talent inside with the Wear brothers, the fact the team lost talent last season could be a difficult thing for the Bruins to overcome.

Tyler Honeycutt was one of those players, providing much of a spark and most of the scoring load for the team, averaging 12.8 points per game. He was also a player that provided a rebounding presence as well.

Malcolm Lee was also a tremendous loss at the shooting guard position, as he was an athletic, scoring force that put up 13.1 points a game for the team.

There is no question the Bruins have the talent to get it done this season, yet trying to win games after losing a significant amount of talent isn't that easy.

Just look at what happened in the season opener. It could have been a telling contest for the Bruins.